Elevated Blood Pressure and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescents of a North Indian City - A Cross-sectional Study

Why The Knowledge of Indian School-Going Adolescents Regarding NCDs is Not Transforming into Lifestyle Changes?

Background

There is a paucity of research to demonstrate the quantification of adolescents' risk behavior toward Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) in India. This study aims to explain the knowledge of school-aged adolescents about NCD and whether their knowledge is truly translating into lifestyle changes and if not, what are the potential underlying factors responsible for that.

Methodology

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted on adolescents in Jodhpur district, India, in grades 6 to 12. The data was gathered via a semi-structured questionnaire. The participant's weight and height were assessed using a digital weighing machine and a stadiometer, respectively. SPSS v.23 was used to analyze the data. Univariate (chi-square) and multivariate (logistic regression) analysis were used to quantify knowledge and risk factors, and inferences were derived.

Results

A total of 1010 students participated in the study. The mean scores of knowledge and risk behavior were 32.82±6.43 (out of 40) and 9.23+2.63 (out of 30), respectively. Adolescent risk behavior and knowledge were not found to be significantly related. Physical activity, spending fewer hours sitting, not skipping breakfast, and habit of fruit and vegetable consumption were significant factors for a healthy lifestyle among them.

Conclusion

Due to differences in underlying predictors, adolescents' understanding of NCDs did not translate into healthy lifestyle modifications. These findings highlight the importance of developing tailored interventions for adolescents that target identified risk domains.

Assessment of Preventable Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases among Junior College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Context:

Lifestyle-associated risk factors may begin during childhood and result into cardiovascular diseases in adult life. Thus, a study was conducted among junior college students to assess these preventable risk factors among them.

Aims:

To estimate (1) Prevalence of risk factors namely physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, tobacco, and alcohol use among them and (2) The proportion of hypertension.

Settings and Design:

A cross-sectional study was done among 416 11^th and 12^th standard students from a school of a metropolitan city.

Subjects and Methods:

Two steps were conducted. Step 1 included an interview schedule and Step 2 involved anthropometry, pulse, and blood pressure of all the participants. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21. Chi-square test was applied.

Results:

The prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and unhealthy dietary habits were 5.5%, 5%, 74.5%, and 52.1%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight students was 13.9%. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 26.9% and 12.7%, respectively.

Conclusions:

It was concluded that these risk factors namely, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, tobacco, and alcohol consumption commence during adolescence.

Frequency of Elevated Blood Pressure Associated With Physical Activity and Dietary Patterns among School Going Adolescents in Karachi: A Cross Sectional Survey

Background: Studies have suggested that atherosclerotic changes take place in the body since childhood due to altered dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyle. It is critical to identify gap areas and update current literature to produce effective changes in our lifestyle. Study design: A cross-sectional survey conducted among school going adolescents in Karachi. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed in three different schools of Karachi. A sample size of 288 was drawn through non-probability, purposive sampling technique. Students were given a questionnaire comprising of questions regarding their physical activity levels, dietary patterns and knowledge regarding blood pressure. Blood pressure and Body Mass Index data was also recorded. Results: Mean age of participants was 14.10 ± 1.097. Of the 288 students that participated in this study (122 boys and 166 girls), 227 were normal for hypertension status (93 boys and 134 girls), 27 were pre-hypertensive (7 boys and 20 girls), and 34 were hypertensive (22 boys and 12 girls). Mean systolic blood pressure was 112.73 ± 13.49, and mean diastolic blood pressure was 71.25 ± 13.03. Awareness among participants was high regarding hypertension being linked to the foods they consumed (62.8%). Conclusion: Our study did not show strong correlation between physical activity and dietary patterns, with status of hypertension. Screening programs should be conducted in schools to monitor blood pressure and body mass index. High risk groups should be approached and advised for lifestyle modification.. Keywords: hypertension, adolescents, life style,

Association between arterial hypertension and nutritional status in adolescents from Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents are a population with unique lifestyle challenges, including physical inactivity, inadequate nutrition, and obesity, all of which increase the risk of developing hypertension (HTN). The objective of this study has been to estimate the prevalence of factors associated with hypertension in adolescents in the city of Goiânia City, Central Brazil.

METHODS

Between 2013and2014, a cross-sectional population study on cardiovascular risk in adolescents, was conducted with the participation of 1,586 adolescents in 108 classes at 36 schools (public and private) in Goiânia city. All of the adolescents were interviewed to establish their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics related to hypertension and nutritional status. Anthropometric and blood pressure data were collected following a protocol. A Poisson regression, stratified by gender, was used to verify the factors associated with HTN.

RESULTS

In this mixed-gender group of 1,586 students, the prevalence of HTN was 6.2% (95% CI: 4.6-8.2%) in girls and 14.0% (95% CI: 10.2-18.8%) in boys-about twice as high in boys as in girls (p <0.001). Obesity was independently associated with HTN in both genders. Being overweight was a risk factor for HTN. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the SBP/SBP percentile and the BMI Z-score/Nutritional status (NS)in both genders. A high prevalence of physical inactivity was also observed in the adolescents investigated, especially in the girls. On the other hand, more boys than girls were found to be obese.

CONCLUSION

The results of this investigation revealed the need for strategies to prevent and control HTN and its risk factors, especially in Brazil's schools. In addition to the constant surveillance of HTN prevalence and risk factors (in particular, being overweight or obese), information should be distributed to promote beneficial health behaviors among adolescents.